5 Ways Leaders Can Connect

We live in the most connected world ever. Social media, cell phones, satellite broadcasts, internet – we have launched so many methods to reach out and touch someone across the globe.

Yet how connected are we, truly, with our own teams?

Have we connected the dots within our organizations? Are there opportunities where teams and individuals are isolated from each other? In a connected organization, people having access to everything and everyone is where it’s at.

Here are some real definitions of what connection is about:

Connect. To link people, A to Z, Amanda to Zech. Join together to provide access, communication. It’s vital to understand this concept as your starting point.

Connector. The person doing the connecting. The leader, but building everyone into connectors themselves. As a leader, are you instigating connection? Are you developing others to be connectors as well?

Connected. All systems are set up. The process is in place, and working. All points lead to everywhere.

Connection. An established link between two or more people. An relationship in which a person, idea, or things is linked to someone or something else. Every connection is unique based on the people’s needs from each other.

Connecting. To build the personal open network. The process of bringing together. What are you doing each day to bring people together?

It may seem like a lot, but the process to start is quite easy. How does a leader connect?

Build trust & mutual respect. People only connect with those of common bond and trust. This foundation is critical to any relationship.

Open communication – both ways. A conduit provides access from A to B, but does not restrict the flow to just one way. Foster and develop people to open the lines. This can only happen when the trust and respect above is established.

Make sure all points/dots are connected. Anyone not in the loop? Everyone have access to everyone else, resources, vision? Make every effort to link everyone, through formal and informal means, systems, personnel functions, and so on. “No employee left behind.”

Check for weak connection links.Daily.Examine every interaction in your organization against the connection model. Find the weak links. Fix them, or replace them, before the chain snaps.

Foster and encourage internal & external connection. Within the organization, yes. Outside of the organization, even better. Get your people connected and involved w/ mentors outside, organizations, and associations. Don’t make your organization an island. Connect entire teams, companies, and industries with this connectivity culture and watch the magic happen.

We live in the “connection economy” today. Don’t short-change your people.